Visitation:
Thursday, January 17 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Providence House, 363 Bishops Highway, Kingston, MA 02364
Resurrection Service:
Friday, January 18 at 3 p.m.
Providence House, 363 Bishops Highway, Kingston, MA 02364
We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved
Sister Jacqueline Meyer
Who departed this life on January 10, 2019
In the seventieth year of her religious life
Age: 84 years, 11 months, 10 days
“Why Life if Death? Why Death if Life? The Beauty of Life is Death. The Beauty of Death is Life.”
(Adapted from Dante Alighieri)
A few hours before her death, Sister Jacqueline warmly welcomed the CNA for her overnight duty. Despite her labored breathing, she told Mariann that she wanted to give her some yarn and where she would find it. Thus, Jacqueline concluded her life as she had lived it—a life wrapped in beauty and a life of total giving.
Joan Ann Meyer was the seventh of eight children born to Gertrude (Hegg) and Jacob Meyer in Pittsburgh, PA. She leaves her sister Florence and her husband Robert, her sister-in-law, Marianne, as well as many nieces and nephews. Sister Jacqueline cherished visits with her family and always delighted in announcing the arrival of the latest baby to the Meyer family.
Sister Jacqueline once credited the Sisters of Divine Providence who taught in her parish with fostering her vocation. She joined the Community in 1949 and after her time of formation and initial ministry in Pittsburgh, Sister Jacqueline came to New England in the mid-1950s. She found here that her lively spirit was a match for the beauty of the little children, with whom she seemed destined to work for the greater part of her life of ministry. As a kindergarten teacher, she served at St. Cecilia’s School in Connecticut and at Sacred Heart Pre-Primary in Plymouth and later in Kingston, as Director and teacher. Sister’s expertise in teaching was also valued beyond the Community schools, as she worked in the public school arena during some summer programs. When others might have sought retirement, Sister later served as a Reading Teacher at Sacred Heart Elementary School.
For countless years, Sister Jacqueline ministered at Camp Mishannock. The beauty of the lake and its surroundings filled her summer days, where she must have clocked miles walking the grounds to complete her tasks. Her cheerful smile comforted many a little homesick camper.
A myriad of holidays and Jubilees were made more beautiful by the decorating talents of Sr. Jacqueline. Her exquisite centerpieces brightened the tables, adding her unique touch and love to each celebration. In her own way, she added more beauty to meals in the Lourdes Center dining room, as she enlisted the help of others to feed the birds in the courtyard and surroundings, enticing a beautiful rainbow of cardinals, finches, chickadees, blue jays, woodpeckers and even a couple of playful squirrels! She helped everyone to heed Jesus’ words to “Look at the birds of the air!” May she now behold the face of God and gaze on true beauty for all eternity!
Birthday: January 28
Sister Claudia Ward
CLICK HERE to make a contribution in honor of Sister Jacqueline's memory.
CLICK HERE to view a slideshow celebrating Sister Jacqueline's life.